I feel I am an artist’s curator. I care very strongly about creating navigable, thoughtfully installed, clean and challenging exhibitions but my main role is to act as advocate and facilitator for an artist’s vision.
Supporting Professional Artists– I organize, plan and prepare to make Professional artist’s experiences convenient and focused. I communicate thoughtful insights but will support visiting artist’s goals and design decisions.
Guiding Students– I facilitate conversations about values, encourage different installation arrangements, ask questions and support their concept while ensuring that students understand the structure and expectations of professional galleries.
Timeliness- My students and I take no more than four days to strike and install an exhibition (Friday-Monday). Exhibition spaces should be active and accessible.
Communication and Activity- My students are actively and often passionately involved in curatorial decisions. While I support the inclusion of text to supplement a viewer’s education, I advocate for interpretation through conversation. Gallery Assistants participate in monthly ‘Know the Show’ events where they complete research on artists, artwork, medium and theme before practicing approaches to instigate engaging discussions.
Accessibility and Awareness- I am mindful of different learning strategies and where possible integrate complimentary interventions, technology or activities. In 2018, I began supplementing curated Virtual Reality experiences to contextualize exhibition themes. In the first ten weeks, we have seen a 76% increase in audience participation.
In sum, I believe that thoughtful spaces can empower people and become destinations that welcome, challenge, encourage and benefit the well-being of our community.
ANTHONY FARIS 